Ululations and cheers as Uhuru Kenyatta joins mourners at Jirongo burial
Mourners were visibly moved on Tuesday after retired President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at the burial service of former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo at his home in Lumakanda, Kakamega County.
Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s fourth president, arrived at the funeral grounds shortly after 11.30 a.m. while a sermon was already in progress. His presence sparked emotional reactions across the venue, with sections of the crowd rising to their feet as loud cheers and ululations filled the air.
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His arrival momentarily shifted focus from the sermon, prompting the preacher to briefly pause the service to allow the retired Head of State to take his seat before proceedings continued.
In a statement shared online, the Office of the Fourth President confirmed his attendance, noting that Uhuru Kenyatta had joined family, friends and leaders in paying final respects to the late Cyrus Jirongo in Lumakanda.
“His Excellency President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta attends the burial ceremony of former Lugari MP Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo in Lumakanda, Kakamega County,” the post read.
Several senior political leaders attended the burial to pay their last respects to the late politician. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was present, joining the family and mourners in honouring Jirongo’s legacy.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also attended the burial. Wetang’ula, who has been closely involved in the funeral arrangements and condolence visits, was among leaders from Western Kenya who paid tribute to the former MP.
Jirongo’s death
Jirongo passed away on December 13, 2025, following a tragic road accident along the Nairobi Nakuru Highway near Karai in Naivasha, Nakuru County. Police reports indicated that his vehicle was involved in a collision with a passenger bus in the early hours of the morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A postmortem examination later revealed that Jirongo died from severe blunt force trauma. Pathologists said he sustained multiple injuries consistent with a high-impact crash, including serious chest injuries, internal organ damage, fractures and spinal trauma.
Despite the postmortem confirming a road traffic accident as the cause of death, questions have continued to emerge over the circumstances surrounding the crash. Jirongo’s family and close associates have called for a thorough investigation, stating that there are unresolved issues regarding his movements before the accident and the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Detectives are reportedly reviewing CCTV footage, witness accounts, and vehicle data as part of ongoing inquiries. Authorities have assured the family that all necessary steps will be taken to establish the full sequence of events leading to his death.
Jirongo’s legacy
Cyrus Jirongo was a seasoned politician and businessman who served as Lugari MP for two terms, first between 1997 and 2002 and later from 2007 to 2013. He also served as Minister for Rural Development and contested the presidency in 2017.
